Modern family is by far my favorite scripted show on television. It’s funny, it’s witty, and to quote an audience member at The Paley Center, the writers “write up” to their audience and not “down to” them. When the cast members discussed their show at the 2012 PaleyFest, you could immediately understand its success. These actors have the same chemistry in real life that they do on television. It’s a huge gift that they are even willing to attend such an event and let the audience in on the show’s process. Watch below.
Category: Television
Ashley Judd’s ‘Missing’ — Thrilling ABC Pilot
I read some of the reviews for ABC’s new Ashley Judd thriller, ‘Missing’, and all the Hollywood-big-hitters seem to hate it. Perhaps I’m missing something (pun intended), but I loved it. Ashley Judd is a force on screen, and she proves movie stars will always make for the best television stars. In fact, I thought the supporting players paled in comparison. I’ll refrain from a tedious plot summary, except to say that Judd plays an ex CIA agent who’s trying to locate her son after he’s been kidnapped. It’s unclear from the pilot why he’s been kidnapped, or what Judd’s work at the CIA actually involved, but I’m sure those details will unfold in the subsequent episodes. The one-note plot might be unsustainable for multiple seasons, but the pilot certainly caught my attention. Screw the Hollywood-big-hitters! The Dishmaster approves!
Ali Landry Tells Wendy Williams Mario Lopez Cheated — GASP!
When Ali Landry filed for an annulment just two weeks after marrying Mario Lopez, people speculated he cheated on her. Neither party confirmed it, until Mario Lopez went on Howard Stern and basically said he only married Landry because he “was given an ultimatum.” He admitted to cheating, but he showed zero remorse. I always wondered why Landry didn’t take the opportunity to publicly bash him, because after all, what’s the point of being famous if you can’t bash your exes on national television? Apparently, Landry finally got the celebrity-memo, and she finally discussed her breakup with Wendy Williams. Watch below.
Jim Rash at The Groundlings — Kills It!!!
Not a day goes by where I don’t appreciate living in Los Angeles. My most recent appreciation is sparked by my night at The Groundlings to see The Crazy Uncle Joe Show, a long-form improv-comedy show that is based on suggestions from the crowd. Though every cast member of The Groundlings is astoundingly talented, Jim Rash stole the show tonight. If you don’t know Rash, aside from an Oscar winning resume, he’s the guy who made fun of Angelina Jolie’s ridiculous leg-pose at the Academy Awards by sticking out his own leg on stage. I didn’t realize at the time that his sharp decision to poke fun at Jolie isn’t surprising given his stint at The Groundlings, which involves a million sharp comedic choices in the span of an hour. It’s no wonder that Saturday Night Live has so many cast members from The Groundlings. These guys are incredible.
Saturday Night Live’s “The Real Housewives of Disney” — Best Sketch Ever
Lindsay Lohan received a lot of criticism for her Saturday Night Live hosting job, but there’s one sketch that’s worth mentioning. There’s no need for me tell you why “The Real Housewives of Disney” was so great, just watch below and judge for yourself. I imagine that if Disney characters were real, that’s exactly how they would actually behave.
Elisabeth Moss Insults Ex-Husband Fred Armisen & Eight Month Marriage — Ouch!
The next time I want to insult an ex-boyfriend, I’m calling Elisabeth Moss for a fresh zinger. When the Mad Men star was asked about her eight month marriage to Saturday Night Live’s Fred Armisen, she quoted her friend, saying, “‘He’s so great at doing impersonations. But the greatest impersonation he does is that of a normal person.’ To me, that sums it up.” That’s just such a brilliant and cutting quote. When they split up after eight months, I thought, “What could you learn in such a short period of time that you didn’t already know?” But her comment certainly answers that question.
Stephen Baldwin and George Takei Respond to Kirk Cameron’s Bigotry
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. If Kirk Cameron went on national television and said, “Black people should not be allowed to marry white people because it’s ‘unnatural,'” no one would say, “He has a right to speak his mind.” We’d call him a racist prick and damn him for eternity (see Mel Gibson). But that same respect isn’t given to homosexuals. It’s time we call Kirk Cameron a bigot and move on. And as for Stephen Baldwin — he’s a bigot too. The guy married a religious nut and because he’s pu*sy-whipped — he joined team crazy. The only reason a man thinks homosexuality is a “choice” is because he’s gay and “chose” to be straight, and he thinks everyone should join his personal hell. Watch the nonsense below.
CT v. Diem on MTV’s Battle of the Exes: Rehash Their Breakup
Chris “CT” Tamburello and Diem Brown had the greatest love story ever captured on television and quite possibly the saddest, most frustrating breakup. From the bits and pieces I gathered, Diem dumped him for her “career,” telling him that they should revisit their relationship in five years time. CT moved on, and Diem later saw him on a reunion show, which included an overflow of tears and proclamations, such as, “I thought I was going to marry you.” Well, Diem — if you thought you wanted to marry the guy — then you sure made a big mistake dumping him, didn’t you? When MTV reunited the former lovebirds, I was sure they’d get back together. But when CT refused to make a move on Diem, she was clearly upset. CT finally said, “You dumped me. You don’t want me. Why are you torturing me?” Diem then cried like a teenager instead of listening to his point, followed by calling him a “monster.” CT then said, “I’m stuck with a psycho ex-girlfriend who is trying to nag me to death, and I can’t escape.” Despite Diem’s very convincing woe-is-me pity parade, I’m on CT’s side. If you didn’t want him, then don’t be surprised that he doesn’t want you. Fast forward to the 21 minute mark to see the insanity begin. And then take a moment to appreciate that God made such a beautiful blue-eyed specimen of a man known as CT. They sure don’t look that way where I come from.
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The Challenge (Season 22), Full Episodes
Lindsay Lohan on ‘The Today Show’: Tells Matt Lauer She’s Sober — Telling the Truth?
I know Lindsay Lohan is desperate to revive her career. But she only gets so many shots at telling the public she’s “back on track,” and she therefore needs to be careful about irreparably destroying her credibility. The public is willing to forgive (see Robert Downey Jr.) if they believe you’ve recovered. And though I’d love to believe she’s clean and sober, she’s too close to her recovery to make such absolute claims as, “I will not let anyone down.” I realize she has to convince insurance companies to insure her in television in films, but it’s just too soon. And finally, she has to die her hair red to be taken seriously. I know it sounds superficial to proclaim that hair color has anything to do with public perception, but every time she’s gone blond she’s gotten into trouble. Watch below.
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Matthew Morrison Badmouths Glee? — Ungrateful?
When actors get a hit television series they always want out of their contract. The offers start to pour in, and their egos take over. But because studios have them under five to seven year contracts, they have one of three choices: Politely ask to be released from their contract; cause a media frenzy and get fired by the studio (see Katherine Heigl); or wait it out until the show runs its course. Matthew Morrison might be opting for option two. He recently told The Mirror that he feels “trapped” on the show, and despite “having a really good lawyer” he “cannot get out of it.” He also said the show has caused him to turn down movie roles. I have a few things to say about this. First, getting a hit television show is the holy-fu*king-grail in the entertainment business. If you knew how many shows die each season, you’d be shocked. He should therefore get down on his knees and thank God for his luck. Second, studios and networks are very kind to their actors, and they more often than not allow them to render services on movies, provided it doesn’t interfere with their shooting schedule. And lastly, I sure hope Matthew Morrison is saving his money (see Katherine Heigl again).